[TowerTalk] DX eng super duty saddle clamps, new uses.

[Pete-N4KW]

Hi Jim,  Yes I have used their U bolts and saddles in a number of like 
applications.  I am presently using 4 of their 3" Ubolts and saddles to hold 
my 3" boom to the boom to mast plate.  The boom to mast plate is supported 
by 4 additional U bolts to hold the plate to the mast.  I have never had any 
of their U bolt/saddle combination ever slip.
73 Pete N4KW

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Thomson" <jim.thom at telus.net>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 7:01 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] DX eng super duty saddle clamps, new uses.


> Has anybody used the dx eng  super duty saddle clamps   for attaching a 
> boom to an  AL plate ???
>
> These are the real heavy duty clamps that consist of 2 x mating solid, 
> textured  A356-T6 saddles... 1/4" thick SS backing plate
> and  a pair of armour plated G-8 bolts.
>
> Normally these clamps are used on the mast.. and flat out won't slip on a 
> mast.    They only come in 3 x sizes.. 2"   2.5"   and 3"
>
> I see no reason why they couldn't be used on a boom as well.   I have some 
> spare  3"  super duty saddle clamps ... and a pair of em on the F-12 340N
> would be preferable   VS     6  x regular saddle clamps   [ 3 per side]  . 
> The reg clamps look just like muffler clamps..except SS.. and have solid 
> 1.25"  wide
> A356-T6  saddles.   They are also a lot longer than regular muffler/ u 
> clamps.
>
> This scheme of using a single super duty saddle clamp on each end of my 8" 
> tall x 17" wide  x 3/8"  thick  6061 T6 plate  also makes for tilting the 
> boom
> a LOT easier.   My vertical plate is 8" wide x 14" tall  [also 3/8" 
> thick]   Vert plate is held to mast with a pair of 2" dx eng super duty 
> mast clamps.
>
> The original  F-12   double plate idea is superb.   The only drawback 
> is..... IF the stock  Horz U bolts  [esp the inner ones]  are too close to 
> the vertical  plate.... the
> horizontal plate will not tilt very far down.
>
> In my case... the F-12  340N boom  must be able to tilt down at a gross 
> angle.
>
> BTW.... I also found a new use for the dx eng  super duty saddle clamps. 
> I use ONE of em  for each of  my new mast steps.
>
> The 2"  variety are exactly 2" tall........ and mate with my 14"  long 
> 2" x 2"  x 1/4"  thick    6061 T6  Al steps nicely.
>
> Tested on the grnd... I can support my entire body weight.. just by 
> compressing the 2 x saddles.., with my bare hands.... with NO bolts, 
> backing plates or steps at all !
> They won't rotate.. and they also won't slide down the mast.
>
> I applied 2 x strips of that 1" wide adhesive backed  non skid material 
> you see used on boats,  [ we used tons of it on Putnam rolling ladder's 
> at work]   to the top of each
> step.   I also applied one strip of it to the side of each step  [vertical 
> portion of the angle AL step] .   The idea  here was so  my fingers won't 
> slide off the
> vertical portion.      I also installed  1/4-20  SS   hex head bolts  + 
> mating SS ny-lock nuts.... one at each extreme end of the step.     Then 
> you can..'feel'
> where the end of each step is  right away.  1/4-20 bolts are 1"  long.. 
> and stick up 3/4"  above each step.  End result is... you can stand on em 
> for hrs....
> without wrecking ur feet..since they are 2" deep  [ and 14" wide] I chose 
> 14"... cuz the mast eats up 2".. leaving  6"  per foot.
> On a 3"  mast... I would make em  15"  wide... [and 2.5" tall on the vert 
> dimension of the angle AL...to mate with the slightly larger 3" super 
> clamp.
>
> Cost for each step was $32  for each  super clamp.. +  $5.00  for the pair 
> of G-8 bolts... + cost of 2" x 2"  angle.  [Local metal place had loads of 
> it]
>
> I feel safe on these things.. and nothing to rust.
>
> Later........... Jim   VE7RF
>
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